With a 30% growth compared to its most recent edition, BFSHOW officially opened with 353 footwear brands from all of Brazil’s manufacturing hubs. During the opening ceremony, the strength of the industry was emphasized — even amid international economic instability, the sector is projecting growth of over 2% throughout 2025.

The fourth edition of the show, taking place from May 19 to 21 at the Anhembi District in São Paulo, is expected to welcome more than 10,000 retailers from every Brazilian state, along with around 1,200 importers from 62 countries. The trade show is organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil.

On the occasion, the Executive President of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), Haroldo Ferreira, emphasized the growth of the show organized by the national footwear industry through its representative entity: “It’s important to highlight that the strength of the Brazilian footwear sector is a direct result of the companies themselves, which — despite all the challenges, widely reported in the media every day — continue to create products with outstanding sustainability, quality, and design, supplying not only Brazil but also more than 160 countries around the world.” According to him, BFSHOW is more than just a trade show — it is “a tribute to the Brazilian footwear industry and to the national expertise in shoe manufacturing.”

João Paulo Picolo, CEO of NrnbergMesse Brasil, highlighted the rapid growth of BFSHOW, which in just its fourth edition has already become the biggest trade show for the sector in Latin America. “We are among the three largest event organizers in the country, with a portfolio of more than 15 business trade shows across 28 different industries. And BFSHOW, now in its fourth edition, proudly stands as one of the greatest symbols of that growth. This edition brought remarkable results, including a record-breaking buyer project with 681 national and international buyers invited by the trade show and Abicalçados through Brazilian Footwear — the export promotion program carried out in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil),” he said.

Resilience
Representing the Government of São Paulo, the State Secretary for Government and Institutional Relations, Gilberto Kassab, emphasized the resilience of an industry that “makes Brazil proud.” “The footwear sector has faced countless challenges over the past decades and has continued to grow thanks to the strength of its companies. Of course, it still needs support, but it is a very strong segment of our economy and a driver of development across the country,” he said.

The footwear hub of Rio Grande do Sul was represented by the state’s Secretary of Economic Development, Ernani Polo. “The footwear industry is strategic for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and it is essential that we work together — government and industry — to support its development,” said the secretary, adding that one-third of the brands exhibiting at BFSHOW are based in Rio Grande do Sul.

Payroll Tax Relief
Representing the presidency of the Federal Chamber of Deputies, Congresswoman Any Ortiz highlighted the partnership between lawmakers and the Brazilian footwear industry. She recalled the recent extension of the payroll tax relief, which — although not fully preserved — was ultimately secured after extensive negotiations between Congress and the Federal Government, and will remain in effect through the end of 2027. “This trade show is our foundation for defending the renewal of payroll tax relief. The development of the sector depends on a lower tax burden, as a means to foster formal employment by improving the competitiveness of our industry,” she stated.

The opening ceremony also featured a video message from Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, who is currently in Rome. In the video, he emphasized the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the competitive conditions for national industry, citing the recently issued decree that regulates the law on accelerated depreciation.

SERVICE INFORMATION

4th BFSHOW

Dates: May 19–21 — from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 19 and 20, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 21

Venue: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana district, São Paulo/Brazil)

More information and registration: www.bfshow.com.br